Coach Emma Hayes has officially announced her first roster for the United States women’s national team as they gear up for the Paris Olympics. Hayes, who recently led Chelsea to their fifth consecutive Women’s Super League Title, will be looking to make her mark on the national team in a pair of upcoming friendlies against South Korea.
Among the 23-player roster named by Hayes are two NWSL players receiving their first call-ups to the national team – Sam Staab of the Chicago Red Stars and Hal Hershfelt of the Washington Spirit. This roster will be Hayes’ final chance to evaluate players before selecting the 18-player squad for the Olympics, with two sendoff matches scheduled for July.
“I expect complete commitment from everyone to absorb very quickly the things that I value as the most important so that we can compete this summer,” Hayes stated. “It’s time to go to work. I can’t wait to meet the fans and it’s really time to get behind the team as we get closer to putting a roster together for the Olympics.”
Notably absent from the roster is veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who sustained an injury while playing for the Chicago Red Stars earlier this month. Captain Lindsey Horan, currently playing for Lyon in the Champions League, will join the team after her club’s final match.
Former coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned following last year’s Women’s World Cup, with Twila Kilgore serving as interim coach until Hayes took over. Kilgore will now serve as an assistant coach under Hayes as they prepare for the upcoming challenges ahead.